How to Evaluate a Summer Camp

Summer camp quality varies widely—about 14 million children attend camps each year. Asking targeted questions helps determine whether a program’s safety, staff qualifications, session structure, and costs match your child’s needs. Before enrolling, check medical and emergency readiness, staff backgrounds and ratios, session logistics and timing, full costs and refund policies, and measurable program outcomes. Use those facts to compare camps objectively. We, at the Young Explorers Club, recommend visiting camps in person and talking with current families before you commit.

Key Takeaways

Prioritize safety: ask for written medical and emergency policies, recent incident logs, on-site medical staff, evacuation plans, and clear medication and allergy procedures.
Verify staff vetting and preparation: demand details on background checks, pre-camp and in-session training hours, certification rates (CPR/First Aid/lifeguard), counselor-to-camper ratios, and accreditation status.
Clarify logistics and daily life: confirm session length and timing, arrival and departure routines, bunk or group assignments, transportation and before/aftercare, and request sample daily schedules.
Understand costs and policies: get an itemized fee list, typical deposit and payment terms, refund and transfer rules, potential hidden charges, and financial aid practices.
Assess program fit and outcomes: review sample itineraries, measurable skill or social-development metrics, activity-specific supervision and equipment rules, and talk with parent references.

Safety: Medical and Emergency Readiness

What to request

Ask for written medical and emergency policies, recent incident logs, and clear protocols for medications and allergies. Confirm whether the camp has on-site medical staff or a formal arrangement with local medical providers, and request their evacuation and severe-weather plans.

Checklist

Written policies for medication administration and allergy management
Recent incident logs and how incidents were handled
Names and qualifications of on-site medical personnel or partner clinics
Evacuation and emergency response plans, including communication procedures with families

Staff Vetting and Preparation

Key questions

Verify the camp’s process for hiring and training staff. Request details on background checks, the number of pre-camp training hours, in-session supervision, and certification rates for CPR, First Aid, and lifeguard training. Ask about typical counselor-to-camper ratios and whether the camp holds any formal accreditation.

Details to obtain

Type and frequency of background checks (national, state, sex-offender registry)
Total hours of pre-camp training and topics covered
Percent of staff certified in CPR/First Aid/lifeguard
Typical staff-to-camper ratios for different activities
Any third-party accreditation or licensing information

Logistics and Daily Life

What to confirm

Clarify session length and timing, arrival and departure routines, group or bunk assignments, transportation options, and availability of before/aftercare. Request a sample daily schedule to understand how time is allocated between activities, rest, and meals.

Questions to ask

What are exact session dates and daily hours?
How are arrival/departure procedures handled and who signs campers in/out?
How are bunk or group assignments made (age, skill, friendships)?
Is transportation provided and what safety checks are in place?
Can the camp provide a sample daily schedule or weekly itinerary?

Costs and Policies

Financial transparency

Obtain an itemized fee list that includes tuition, deposits, activity fees, equipment rentals, meal plans, and any optional extras. Ask about typical deposit amounts, payment schedules, refund and transfer policies, and how the camp handles hidden charges or unexpected fees. If cost is a concern, inquire about financial aid or scholarship practices.

Points to verify

Detailed list of what is included vs. optional purchases
Standard deposit and final payment deadlines
Clear refund and cancellation policies
Policies for transfers between sessions or years
Availability and criteria for financial aid or scholarships

Program Fit and Outcomes

Assessing value

Look for sample itineraries and measurable outcomes the camp tracks—whether skill-building in specific activities or social-development metrics. Ask how the camp supervises activity-specific risks and what equipment or safety protocols are used.

How to evaluate

Review sample itineraries and daily activity breakdowns
Ask for concrete outcome measures (skill progression, camper surveys, post-camp reports)
Confirm activity-specific supervision and safety equipment rules
Request names of parent references or families to speak with

How to Compare Camps Objectively

Create a simple comparison sheet that lists safety, staff, logistics, costs, and outcomes side-by-side for each camp. Score each category based on the documentation and answers you receive. Use those scores to make a fact-based decision rather than relying on marketing language or one-off impressions.

Our Recommendation

We, at the Young Explorers Club, strongly recommend visiting camps in person, observing a session if possible, and talking with current families before committing. Prioritize written policies and verified documentation so you can compare programs objectively and choose the best fit for your child.

Why Asking Questions Matters

We, at the young explorers club, see that 14 million children participate in annual summer camp attendance, and that scale creates huge variation in program quality. Families can’t rely on brochures alone. Targeted questions help match safety, staff quality and program fit to each child.

A clear view of session structure matters because camp session length 1–8 weeks varies widely. Day camps commonly run 1 day to 2 weeks, while overnight camps usually run 1–8 weeks. Many families pick 1–2 week sessions for a trial run, or 4–8 week options for a full-summer experience. Asking about session timing, arrival/departure routines and bunk assignments clarifies logistics up front.

For a practical checklist and deeper guidance on how to evaluate options, start with How to choose.

What to ask — and what you’ll learn

These camp selection questions let you protect health and safety, avoid surprises, and maximize your child’s growth. Ask the following to confirm program strength and fit:

Medical and emergency readiness — Confirm medication policies, on-site medical staff or partnerships, emergency protocols and how they contact parents. This verifies true preparedness rather than polite claims.
Staff qualifications and ratios — Ask about background checks, training hours (first aid, child development, activity-specific), and exact staff-to-camper ratios for each age group. Ratios tell you how much supervision your child will actually get.
Activity supervision and safety standards — Request descriptions of how risky activities (water, climbing, overnight hikes) are run, what equipment is used, and whether instructors hold recognized certifications.
Costs and hidden fees — Request an itemized fee list: deposits, activity fees, laundry, transport, and optional extras. Understanding the final cost prevents last-minute surprises.
Culture and daily rhythm — Ask for a typical day schedule, cabin life expectations, discipline approach and examples of how staff build inclusion and conflict resolution skills.
Outcomes and development focus — Ask how the camp measures success: social skill development, leadership opportunities, independence milestones and resilience-building exercises. This shows whether the program emphasizes growth or just activity lists.

I recommend you prioritize questions that address safety first, then logistics, then developmental fit. Clear answers will reveal whether a camp is a good match or just pleasant marketing.

Types of Camps, Costs & Financial Considerations

We, at the Young Explorers Club, group camps into clear types so families can match goals to budgets. Day camps run daytime programs and suit younger kids or families needing childcare. Day camp cost $200–$500/week is typical. Overnight (residential) camps give 24-hour supervision, structured days and social immersion. Overnight camp cost $400–$2,000/week depends on length, amenities and location. Specialty and intensive programs — sports, arts or STEM — often charge higher tuition; specialty camp costs commonly range $500–$1,500+/week. Academic/STEM, arts, travel/adventure and therapeutic camps each add different value and staffing needs that affect price.

Deposit and payment norms are consistent across many programs. A deposit of 10–25% is common; for example, if camp fee is $1,500/session, deposit 20% = $300 (usually non-refundable). Balances are often due about 30 days prior to session start. We advise confirming refund and transfer policies for cancellations or date changes.

Ask about these potential extra charges before you enroll: activity fees, field trip fees, transportation charges, late pickup charges, and uniform or equipment costs. Call them “hidden fees” in your checklist so you won’t be surprised on billing day. Urban camps generally cost more, so expect regional variation.

We also watch for financial aid and scholarship practices. Ask what percentage of campers receive aid and the average award size — for example, “Camp A awards aid to 15% of campers averaging $500.” That detail tells you how accessible a program is. We recommend asking whether awards are need-based, merit-based, or first-come-first-served.

Side-by-side comparison (quick reference)

Day camp — cost $200–$500/week; supervision intensity: daytime-only adult staff; session length: 1 day–2 weeks; age range: younger kids to teens; pros: good for working parents, daily drop-off; cons: limited independence.
Overnight camp — cost $400–$2,000/week; supervision intensity: 24-hour staff and medical coverage; session length: 1–8 weeks; age range: older children/teens common; pros: independence and immersion; cons: higher cost and homesickness risk.
Specialty camp — cost $500–$1,500+/week; supervision intensity depends on activity certifications; session length: 1–8 weeks; age range: varies by skill level; pros: intensive skill building; cons: narrower focus.

We see two common family scenarios. Working parents needing reliable care should consider accredited day camps with extended hours. Families wanting independence, social growth or deep skill work should look at multi-week overnight or specialty programs. If you want a short primer on preparing a child for an initial stay, check our page on your first summer camp for practical tips and timelines.

Summer camp Switzerland, International summer camp 3

Safety, Health, Medical & Emergency Policies

We treat safety and health as non-negotiable. I expect clear, documented answers before I enroll any child.

Essential questions to ask

Ask the camp for written policies and records and demand specifics rather than general promises. Here are the questions I always put to camps and the documents I request:

Who is on-site as part of your on-site medical staff? Ask whether there’s a nurse, EMT, or medical director and what hours of coverage they provide. For overnight programs, confirm 24/7 presence or on-call arrangements. Request the job descriptions and credential verification.
What is your counselor-to-camper ratio? Request the camp’s written ratio and confirm whether it meets their program claims — common program targets are counselor-to-camper ratio 1:4–1:12 depending on age and activity.
Can you provide your written health policy and recent incident logs? Ask if they track incidents per 1000 camper days and request the last 12 months of data so you can see trends.
What are your current injury and illness statistics and how are they reported? Accredited camps typically report low injury rates, but always ask for camp-specific numbers and the process used to report serious incidents.
Do you have an immunization policy and a communicable disease policy? Request the immunization policy, how exemptions are handled, and an example of how a recent communicable illness was managed.
What’s your COVID-19 policy and overall disease prevention plan? Ask about masking rules (if any), vaccination requirements, recent case counts, containment steps taken, and whether they keep metrics for outbreaks.
How do you prevent and respond to contagious illnesses? Check for hand-washing stations, signage, isolation procedures, enhanced sanitation protocols, and whether they log containment outcomes with timelines.
Can you show your emergency evacuation plan and proof of insurance? Request the emergency evacuation plan document, the parent notification timeframe and methods, and copies of liability insurance and medical insurance policy required — include coverage limits and the insurer’s contact.
How do you administer medications and manage allergies? Ask for medication administration procedures, secure storage, record-keeping, and whether staff are trained to recognize and treat anaphylaxis.
Do staff complete scenario-based emergency drills? Verify training frequency, drill types (medical emergency, fire, missing camper), and whether performance is documented.
What are your parent notification practices after an incident? Ask how quickly parents are notified, who makes the call, and what follow-up communication you’ll receive.
How do you vet and credential medical transports and local medical facilities? Request the names and distances of partner hospitals, typical transport times, and arrangements for emergency evacuation.
Do you run background checks and medical training for counselors? Ask for copies of training curricula and the percentage of staff with current first aid/CPR and emergency certifications.

I also recommend asking to tour the infirmary and to meet the medical lead by phone. If you want guidance on choosing a camp that meets high safety standards, see our tips to choose the best summer camp for your family.

Summer camp Switzerland, International summer camp 5

Staff Hiring, Training, Background Checks & Accreditation

We, at the young explorers club, expect camps to give clear, verifiable answers about how they hire and prepare staff. Demand specifics; vague language is a warning sign. Verify processes in writing rather than relying on verbal assurances.

Ask explicitly about background checks — what checks are run (criminal history, sex offender registries), how often they’re repeated and whether seasonal and volunteer staff are covered. Request the exact screening policy and the frequency of rechecks. If a camp can’t say which registries it searches or whether volunteers are screened, push for documentation.

Get clear numbers on training. Industry expectations for pre-camp training fall in the pre-camp training 16–40 hours range; ask how many hours staff receive before the first camper arrives and which topics are covered (child protection, emergency response, behavior management, activity-specific safety). Also ask about in-session training and how often skills refreshers occur during a session.

Require percent-based answers for certifications and experience. Phrase requests like: “What percent of counselors are returning staff? What percent are trained in lifeguarding/first aid?” Ask for:

CPR/First Aid/lifeguard/activity-specific certification percentages (state exact CPR/First Aid certification %).
Percent of staff returning from previous seasons.
Average tenure and annual staff turnover rate. High turnover or inability to provide average tenure is a red flag.

Differentiate licensing from accreditation. Licensing equals state licensing and sets minimum legal standards. Accreditation, such as American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation, involves a third-party periodic review against industry best practices. Ask whether the camp holds ACA accreditation, the year of the last accreditation, any corrective actions taken, and to see the accreditation certificate and inspection findings.

Insist on written emergency and safety materials. Request:

A written emergency response plan for medical, severe weather, missing child, and serious injury scenarios.
Safety audit schedules and recent audit summaries.
Documentation showing how corrective actions were tracked and closed.

Use these practical phrasing lines during calls or visits: “Please send your background screening policy and the last three months of staff training schedules,” and “Can you provide the percentage breakdown for CPR/First Aid certification and returning staff this summer?” That makes it harder for a camp to answer vaguely.

Quick checks, examples and red flags

Below are quick items to review and sample comparisons to frame your conversation.

Checklist to request:
- Exact background checks run
- Frequency of rechecks
- Coverage of volunteers and seasonal staff
- Pre-camp training hours and syllabus
- In-session training cadence
- CPR/First Aid certification %
- Percent returning staff
- Average tenure and turnover rate
- ACA accreditation status and last accreditation year
- Written emergency response plan
- Safety audit findings
Sample comparisons:
- Camp X — 100% background checks, pre-camp training 24 hours, 60% returning staff, 95% CPR-certified.
- Camp Y — 85% background checks, pre-camp training 12 hours, 30% returning staff, 70% CPR-certified.
Red flags to watch for:
- No written training plan
- Vague or evasive answers about background checks
- Failure to track or produce certification percentages
- Inability to show accreditation certificate or inspection findings
- High unexplained staff turnover
- Refusal to share emergency plans or safety audit schedules

Program Quality, Activities, Camper Fit & Outcomes

I ask every camp for a weekly schedule and a sample daily itinerary so we can see the real camp rhythm and the camp curriculum in practice. Review that sample daily itinerary for how much unstructured free play exists alongside skill sessions, meals, rest and reflection. See a sample daily itinerary to know what a clear schedule looks like.

I expect specialty or skill-based programs to deliver measurable outcomes. Request numbers like the percentage of campers who advanced a sailing level, completed a graded climbing course, or showed a quantifiable improvement in a music skill. Ask camps to describe their assessment method and the baseline they use. Camps should explain how they track progress over a session and across summers, because measurable outcomes separate casual exposure from real instruction.

Camps are known to support social skills improvement, independence and resilience; I recommend asking how the camp measures those gains. Practical evidence could include pre/post surveys, counselor observations, or parent follow-ups. If a camp claims social benefits, they should show the tools they use to quantify them.

Activities, high-risk programming & equipment

High-risk activities require explicit answers. I make these requests of any camp that lists swimming, ropes/zipline, archery or climbing:

Instructor certifications and licensure for each activity (e.g., Swiftwater, high-ropes, certified archery instructor).
Instructor:camper ratios for each activity (not an average across the day).
Waterfront supervisor credentials, total lifeguard counts and the waterfront lifeguard ratio 1:6 or lower they follow for swim sessions.
Emergency response plans, rescue protocols and on-site AED/first-aid equipment.

Also clarify equipment and extra costs. Ask whether essential gear (canoe, helmet, instrument, wetsuit) is provided or must be purchased. Request a full list of rental fees and replacement charges so there are no surprises.

Camper fit, inclusion services & readiness

I compare age groupings and staff training when judging fit. Typical age bands you should see are 6–8 / 9–11 / 12–14. Ask camps how they group activities within those bands and whether mixed-age options exist. Request the percentage of staff trained or experienced with special needs and whether an on-site nurse or therapist is available.

Below are checklist items I use to assess readiness and fit; I ask camps for parent references from families with similar-aged campers or similar needs:

Can sleep away from parents for 1+ night.
Can manage toileting and basic self-care.
Can follow multi-step directions reliably.
Can tolerate group settings and transitions.

I also compare program breadth with instructional attention. For example, Camp A might offer 8 electives with an average instructor ratio of 1:8, while Camp B offers 4 electives with 1:12. Those metrics tell me where a camper will get more hands-on coaching versus broader exposure.

Summer camp Switzerland, International summer camp 7

Logistics, Policies, Communication, Reviews & Quick Decision Checklist

We, at the Young Explorers Club, focus on details that affect daily life and family peace of mind. Ask for the camp’s exact location and typical travel time and evaluate commute time 45–60 minutes as a red flag for younger campers. Shorter trips keep energy high and fatigue low.

Clarify transportation options and safety. Confirm whether the camp is parent drop-off only, offers bus pickup zones, or runs private shuttles. Ask specifically about transportation safety and supervision protocols during transit. Compare drop-off vs. shuttle costs and procedures and get written descriptions of pickup/drop-off points and staff checks.

Confirm daily hours and before/aftercare. Get the full daily schedule and whether extended care $10–$25/day is available. Learn how early drop-off and late pickup affect activities. Ask whether meals/snack times are fixed and where quiet or nap time fits for younger ages.

Request written behavior, bullying and discipline policies. Demand specific examples of communication cadence — daily reports, incident logs, weekly newsletters — and ask for a sample parent handbook or code-of-conduct and sample communication logs. Make bullying policy a non-negotiable item; know how incidents are documented and how parents are notified.

Get packing and first-day expectations in writing. Request a packing list, labeling suggestions, electronics policy and the food allergy policy. For overnight camps, ask about laundry schedules, phone policy and phone policy weekly calls frequency. Request a clear rundown of what’s allowed in bunks and how staff manage personal items.

Check reviews, references and visit options. Ask for contact info for 3–5 current or recent parents and for the names of staff who will be present during your camper’s session. Compare online third-party reviews with verified parent references. Plan an open house visit so you can see arrival, a typical activity and staff interactions in person. For tips about preparing and first days, consider attending an open house visit.

Decision Checklist — Key Questions to Ask

Use this printable checklist for calls and visits and score each item 1–5 to compare objectively:

Is the camp licensed or ACA-accredited? (ACA-accredited)
What is the counselor-to-camper ratio by age/activity?
What percent of staff are returning; what training do they receive (hours, topics)?
Who provides medical care on site? What is the camp’s incident rate or recent incident summary?
What are the total costs and what hidden fees might apply? (ask about deposit 10–25%)
What is the camp’s bullying/discipline policy and communication cadence to parents?
Can I speak to current parents and visit the site before enrollment?

Bring this checklist when you call or visit, score camps on each item, and request written confirmations for policies that matter most — health, refunds and transportation.